In a surprise reversal, Microsoft has adjusted Microsoft 365 Apps support for Windows 10, granting security updates through 2028 as many users are delaying Windows 11 upgrades.
Windows 10 users will not lose security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps immediately after the operating system’s end of support in 2025. Microsoft announced an extension of security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 through Oct. 14, 2028, giving users more time to transition to Windows 11.
The policy update was published on May 8, 2025, reversing an earlier decision that would have ended Microsoft 365 Apps support alongside Windows 10’s end of life on Oct. 14, 2025.
“To help maintain security while you transition to Windows 11, Microsoft will continue providing security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 for three years after Windows 10 reaches end of support,” the article read.
Microsoft pushes hard for Windows 11 upgrades in 2025
Microsoft has been keen on having users upgrade to the new operating system, announcing at CES earlier this year that 2025 would be “the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh.” Yusuf Mehdi, executive vice president at Microsoft, even went so far as to claim that upgrading your Windows 10 PC would be more important than upgrading your phone or TV.
“We believe that one of the most important pieces of technology people will look to refresh in 2025 isn’t the refrigerator, the television or their mobile phone,” Mehdi said. “It will be their Windows 10 PC, and they will move forward with Windows 11.”
In a statement issued earlier this year, the company originally declared that it would end security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10.
“Although apps such as Word will continue to work after Windows 10 reaches end of support, using an unsupported operating system can cause performance and reliability issues when running Microsoft 365 Apps,” a January support article on Microsoft’s site stated.
Windows 11 adoption lags as hardware requirements limit upgrades
This about-face from Microsoft on 365 Apps support may have to do with Windows 11’s adoption lagging behind Windows 10. One likely reason is that the newer operating system has demanding hardware requirements. Many Windows 10 users have been ignoring full-screen prompts urging them not just to upgrade to Windows 11 but to buy a new computer.
Despite the in-your-face screen prompts, Microsoft isn’t leaving Windows 10 users who don’t want to upgrade their computers in the dust. For the first time, users will be able to purchase a year of Extended Security Updates (ESU) for $30. Businesses can buy a year of ESU for $61 per device or three years for $122 per device.
“Enrolled PCs will continue to receive Critical and Important security updates for Windows 10; however, new features, bug fixes, and technical support will no longer be available from Microsoft,” Mehdi explained.
Source: Windows 10 Users Get 3 More Years of Microsoft 365 Security Updates
